Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the Jacksonville Jaguars, they were handed an embarrassing 50-10 loss by the New England Patriots in Week 17. You have to be a particular level of bad for the score to be so lopsided. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell summed up the day perfectly when he met with the local media, “we didn’t protect the ball on offense. We couldn’t get a stop on defense, and that made it a tough day“.
You could make the case that the Jaguars were missing several starters due to the COVID-19 protocols but realistically, speaking how much of a difference would it have made if they had played? The Jags were coming off a seventh-game losing streak and in most of those matchups, the Jags were at full strength or close to it.
Now, this is the kind of wake-up call owner Shad Khan needed. Things haven’t gone well for the franchise over the last two years. Half measures won’t get the job done, and he needs to consider a reboot if he wants the organization to turn things around.
On the other hand, there is still a game left in the regular season and it will be at TIAA Bank Field. As Trevor Lawrence told the local media, it’s one more opportunity to get better. Finishing the year with a win would be great for a team that hasn’t had many bright moments in the past few months.
Without further ado, here are the studs and duds from the Jaguars’ 50-10 loss to the Pats.
Here are 3 studs from the Jaguars’ 50-10 loss to the Patriots.
It’s difficult to highlight positive performances when your team is on the wrong end of a 50-10. However, those that played well reserves recognition.
1. Chris Claybrooks, cornerback.
With return specialist Jaydon Mickens not suiting up in Week 17, Chris Claybrooks handled return duties. He also started at cornerback and appeared in 88 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. He was targeted eight times and allowed four of those for 31 yards. His 73.9 Pro Football Focus grade was the highest among Jaguars defenders.
Claybrooks will see his playing time decrease in the season finale if Shaquill Griffin is cleared from the COVID-19 list. All things considered, the sophomore did a good job on a day the Jaguars’ defense was manhandled.
2. Walker Little, offensive lineman.
Walker Little started for the second time in his young NFL career and the Jags should be pleased. He didn’t allow a single pressure in 32 pass-blocking snaps. He also finished the game with a PFF grade of 77.2, the highest among Jaguars offensive players.
Based on how the Texas native performed in spite of getting much playing time, it’s fair to wonder why the coaching staff has refused to give him more snaps. Sure, Cam Robinson is the starter at left tackle but the Jags could have plugged Little in at right tackle, where Jawaan Taylor has struggled this season.
3. Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver.
Laquon Treadwell led the team in receptions with six for 87 yards. On a good team, he would be the third or fourth option in the passing game but the Jags are far from good, and the former first-round pick has made the most of his opportunities since being signed to the active roster in early November.
Treadwell has hauled in a career-high 410 receiving yards this season and he needs six more catches to set a career-high in receptions. The bar isn’t set high but he’s still worth noting that he’s been one of the weapons the Jags have had in the past few weeks.
Here are three duds from the Jaguars’ Week 17 loss to the Patriots.
1. Trevor Lawrence, quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence is still a rookie and it’s unfair to have him carry the team on his shoulders, especially when he lacks enough weapons. But that’s what he had to do against the Patriots and the results weren’t good. He threw three interceptions. One was a pass that went through running back Ryquell Armstead’s hands but the other two were his fault.
As interim head coach Darrell Bevell said after the game, he has to go through this kind of experience during his development and he will need to rebound against the Indianapolis Colts in the season finale.
2. Tavon Austin, wide receiver.
Tavon Austin played on 66 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and what does he have to show for it? Three catches for two yards. The eighth overall pick in 2013 averaged 0.66 per reception. You won’t get many first downs, let alone touchdowns with that kind of output.
The fact that Austin played more than Laviska Shenault Jr. is telling. Viska was activated from the COVID-19 list Friday, so not practicing might have played a role in his lack of snaps. Still, he caught two receptions for 13 yards. Nothing to brag about but better than Austin.
3. Myles Jack, linebacker.
Myles Jack has played at a Pro Bowl level or close to it for most of his career but he’s been underwhelming in 2021. As John Shipley of Jaguar Report pointed out, the 2016 second-round pick hasn’t made many big plays this season. Against the Patriots, he gave up five receptions for 87 yards and posted a subpar Pro Football Focus overall grade of 40.7. Moreover, he missed two tackles. That’s not the kind of performance you expect from one of the Jaguars’ most important players on defense.